Who Is Black Adam? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Black Adam is a DC Comics comic book character, the alter ego of Teth-Adam, with over 904 comic issue appearances. The original champion of the Wizard, Teth-Adam was a former slave who channeled the power of six Egyptian Gods to fight evil. But when his family was murdered during the conquest of his people, he developed more ruthless methods to protect innocents. Seeing him as corrupt, the Wizard banished "Black Adam" to the tomb of Ramesses II. After centuries of imprisonment, he would finally escape to overthrow Kahndaq's tyrant by force, becoming the country's defender and a natural enemy to the world's heroes.

Who is Black Adam?

Origin Adam was born to the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II in the neighboring (fictional) land of Kahndaq . While there are contradictory accounts of the circumstances of Black Adam’s early history, certain elements are consistent: While serving as high priest to Ramses II, the wizard Shazam sought a successor to his godly powers. Impressed with his virtue and martial heroism, he chose Adam. Having determined to make Adam his successor, Shazam’s intentions were altered by the intervention of his half-demonic daughter Blaze . Blaze struck a bargain with the god Set so that when Adam speaks the word “Shazam,” instead of becoming the avatar of the wizard’s deific patrons, he becomes the avatar of the Egyptian gods Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, and Mehen. "Teth-Adam" (Mighty Adam) then served the Egyptian Pharaoh as his champion for many years. At one point, a time-traveling adventure of the Justice Society showed him in service to Prince Khufu (an early reincarnation of Hawkman ) alongside the wizard Nabu . This service however, drew him away from his family and home country of Kahndaq, which was attacked in his absence, resulting in the murder of his family and the devastation of his pe.

Key facts

Black Adam is of god/eternal origin and first appeared in "The Mighty Marvels Join Forces!/The Marvel Family and Baby Marvel". The character is published by DC Comics. With 904 recorded issue appearances, Black Adam ranks among the most featured characters in comics.